At Van Sant Law, our catastrophic injury lawyers in Newnan represent people whose lives have been changed by traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, severe burns, amputations, and other disabling injuries.
We have served injured people in Georgia since 2008 and have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for our clients. Founding attorney David M. Van Sant previously represented insurance companies, giving our firm firsthand knowledge of how insurers investigate, value, and defend serious injury claims.
Contact Van Sant Law for a free consultation with our Newnan personal injury lawyers.
What Is Considered a Catastrophic Injury?
The term generally refers to an injury that causes permanent or long-term impairment, disability, disfigurement, or loss of bodily function. These injuries frequently require treatment well beyond an initial hospital stay. Your medical needs may continue for months, years, or the rest of your life.
Examples of long-term needs may include:
- Additional surgeries or medical procedures.
- Physical, occupational, or cognitive rehabilitation.
- Prescription medications and medical equipment.
- Prosthetic devices or mobility aids.
- In-home assistance or nursing care.
- Modifications to a home or vehicle.
- Ongoing neurological, orthopedic, or psychological care.
A severe injury can also prevent you from returning to the same job, reduce your future earning capacity, and limit activities that were once part of your daily life.
Common Causes of Catastrophic Injuries
Catastrophic injuries can result from many forms of negligence. Determining what caused the injury is one part of the investigation. We also look for every person or business whose conduct may have contributed to it.
Our Newnan catastrophic injury attorneys may handle claims arising from:
- Car accidents.
- Tractor-trailer and commercial truck crashes.
- Motorcycle accidents.
- Pedestrian and bicycle collisions.
- Dangerous property conditions.
- Construction incidents.
- Defective products.
- Other preventable incidents resulting in severe injuries.
Identifying all potentially responsible parties can be especially significant when your future losses are substantial. More than one insurance policy or source of recovery may apply.
Our Newnan Catastrophic Injury Lawyers Represent Clients With a Range of Injuries
At Van Sant Law, we represent clients with severe injuries that can permanently change their health, mobility, cognitive abilities, and independence.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
A traumatic brain injury can affect memory, concentration, speech, behavior, balance, and the ability to perform everyday tasks. Some people require continuing neurological care, rehabilitation, supervision, or assistance with daily activities.
Spinal Cord Injuries and Paralysis
Damage to the spinal cord can result in partial or complete paralysis, chronic pain, reduced sensation, and loss of bodily function. Treatment may involve surgery, rehabilitation, mobility equipment, home modifications, and long-term personal care.
Severe Burns
Serious burns can cause nerve damage, scarring, disfigurement, infections, and limited movement. Treatment can include skin grafts, reconstructive procedures, rehabilitation, and continuing care for physical and psychological effects.
Amputations and Crush Injuries
Loss of a limb can affect employment, mobility, independence, and daily routines. A claim may need to account for prosthetics, prosthetic replacements, rehabilitation, home modifications, and diminished earning capacity.
Severe Orthopedic and Internal Injuries
Multiple fractures, organ damage, internal injuries, and other significant trauma can lead to repeated procedures and lasting physical limitations. We assess how those injuries affect both your current condition and your expected future needs.
Compensation for a Catastrophic Injury in Georgia
The losses caused by a life-changing injury can continue long after an insurance claim begins. We assess both what the injury has already cost you and what it is reasonably expected to cost in the future.
Depending on the facts, compensation may include:
- Emergency medical treatment and hospitalization.
- Surgeries and follow-up medical care.
- Rehabilitation and therapy.
- Prescription medications.
- Medical equipment and assistive devices.
- Past lost wages.
- Reduced future earning capacity.
- In-home care and personal assistance.
- Home or vehicle modifications.
- Physical pain and suffering.
- Emotional suffering.
- Loss of enjoyment of life.
A spouse may also have a separate loss-of-consortium claim when a serious injury interferes with the marital relationship. Whether a particular category of damages is available depends on the facts and applicable Georgia law.
How Long Do You Have to File a Catastrophic Injury Lawsuit in Georgia?
In Georgia, an action for personal injuries must generally be filed within two years after the claim accrues. Waiting until the deadline approaches can make it more difficult to preserve evidence, locate witnesses, and investigate everyone who may be responsible.
Different rules can apply depending on the defendant and the type of claim. Claims involving government entities, for example, can be subject to separate notice requirements, and other circumstances may affect the filing period.
Speaking with a catastrophic injury attorney in Newnan early gives us more time to review the applicable deadlines and preserve evidence that may support your claim.
How Van Sant Law Handles Catastrophic Injury Claims
Our approach includes identifying every potentially liable party and each available avenue of compensation. When several people, companies, or insurers may share responsibility, we investigate each party rather than limiting the claim to the most obvious defendant.
We also keep you informed about your case and the decisions that may affect it. If traveling to the office is difficult because of your injuries, we can sign your case electronically and arrange an in-home consultation if you prefer.
Talk to a Catastrophic Injury Attorney in Newnan
A disabling injury can lead to medical expenses and financial losses that persist for years. Before accepting an insurance settlement, you should understand the full extent of your injuries, the parties who may be responsible, and the compensation Georgia law may allow you to pursue.
Our attorneys at Van Sant Law bring decades of combined legal experience to serious injury claims. We work to identify every available source of recovery and build a claim that reflects both your present losses and reasonably anticipated future needs.
Contact us for a free consultation with a Newnan catastrophic injury lawyer. We can explain your legal options and discuss how we may pursue compensation on your behalf.
